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Austin and Tanya Propst are the new ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) coordinators for Madagascar. They have just arrived in what will be their new home for the next four years. The YAGM program is reliant on the coordinators who facilitate the young adults’ ministry and provide mentoring and spiritual guidance. To support a YAGM coordinator, go to www.elca.org/missionarysponsorship.
After 43 hours, from Asheville, N.C., to Tana, Madagascar, Tanya and Austin Propst arrived at 2 p.m. local time with no lost bags, very little sleep and hot sunshine to greet them.
Madagascar! Yes, we have been called to be the coordinators for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program in Madagascar. We will walk with the people of Madagascar, as we work with young adults from the United States who feel God pulling on their heart strings, to experience God on a global level. So what does that mean? Stay tuned and we’ll find out together. We will be in Madagascar, living in Antananarivo (say it, three times fast!), for a four-year commitment, so we’ll have plenty to talk about.
There is a saying in Malagasy, “Tsihibelambana ny olona,” which is roughly translated to mean that all people together are a great broad mat. That to me means unity; oneness that can be felt, enjoyed, and shared by all people. Tanya and I are super excited to be embarking on a journey in Madagascar, where the people understand that we are all from the same mat. We are one.
We’ll keep you up-to-date on our adventures to come!
Austin
on February 8th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Congratulations, Propst family! This is great news to hear about your first call to Madagascar! We will keep you and YAGM in our prayers. I’m proud to have graduated with you from WTS, Austin… and hope your experience there brings you amazing perspective, a rich depth, and one big mat. Peace, prayers, and blessings to you and Tanya!
on February 8th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Great to hear about your arrival. All of us in the Companion Synod Committee of the Rocky Mountain Synod will be praying for you – and we look forward to seeing you in Madagascar in 2013 in our next trip!
on February 13th, 2012 at 4:36 am
Austin & Tanya, your mom and dad continue to pray for you! God loves you bunches and we do too!!
on February 13th, 2012 at 9:32 am
May God bless you both, Austin and Tanya, as you begin your ministry in Madagascar!
on February 13th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Proud of you both. Can’t wait to hear God’s suprising gifts coming your way each and every day and what a gift you will be to others. You will be in our prayers.
Peace and Blessings
on February 15th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
God’s blessing on your “new” ministry. I still cherish my two visits to Madagascar over a decade ago. It is an amazing place and an amazing people. You are all in my prayers!
Bob Wagner
Pastor, Moxham Lutheran Church
on February 16th, 2012 at 8:41 am
We are superpraying for your transition. $ support to follow after council meeting next month. We love you. Paztor Sarah
on February 16th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Welcome to Madagascar Austin and Tanya! We finished 8 years of service there in 2008 and have a deep love for the people and ministry there (and lived in Antananarivo for the last 2 years). If you need a distant shoulder to lean on or just want to add us to your update list we’d be privileged to learn how to pray for you. God bless your ministry among Malagasy people and in empowering our Malagasy brothers and sisters to help young Americans respond to God’s call.
on February 16th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Congratulations and welcome to your new home. You certainly have been in our thoughts and prayers. Since we can’t send you a card yet (from the Nativity card ministry), suffice it to say that there is a “card” being sent from our heart to yours sending our love and prayers for your ministry in Madagascar. Blessings to you both!
Ruth Tracy
Lutheran Church of the Nativity